What is the best way to install front struts on a Lada Granta?

The design of the front struts of the Lada Granta is telescopic, which allows you to replace a specific element that has failed. To do this, you just need to disassemble the rack into individual parts. For a detailed consideration of this operation, you will need to pay attention to the manipulations with one of the racks, since the second is repaired in an absolutely similar way. The best help in your work will be hanging the car using a lift compared to lifting it with a conventional jack. In the latter case, place the LADA Granta car on a flat surface. You also need to know which racks are best to install.

Preparatory procedures

Many car owners are interested in which racks are best to install, as well as how to do everything correctly. Before you repair the front struts, you will need:

1. We stop the LADA Granta car using the handbrake and place wheel chocks under the stern wheels.
2. Under the hood we find a shock-absorbing support rod, into the hexagonal recess of which, located at the end, we insert a key of the corresponding profile.
3. Using the second wrench, we loosen the tightening torque of the nut securing the suspension element to the body. In the meantime, we use a hex wrench to keep the rod from trying to turn in conjunction with the nut.
4. We “dive” into the wheel arch of the LADA Granta and find a bracket that holds the brake hose on the strut body.
5. We unscrew the specified fastening unit, removing the hose itself from the holding bracket. This will provide space for unscrewing the lower point of the shock absorber strut. You will have to work in tandem with a key “17” size.

You should dare to replace the struts in cases where a leak of working fluid from the shock absorber is detected, as well as if there is a knock, deformation of the rod or destruction of the silent block.

You should remember the rule that implies replacing the struts as a whole on one axis, even if the second shock-absorbing element is in good condition.

The structure of the front shock absorbers

Grant front struts ( oil type ):

• stock;
• compensation chamber;
• piston with baffle valve;
• main camera;
• compression valve

Gas type:

• stock;
• piston with valves;
• separating piston;
• gas.

How to remove the spring and shock absorber on a Grant?

1. If the vehicle is equipped with an ABS system, then before starting the repair process with shock absorbers and springs, it is imperative to remove the sensor of this safety unit.
2. Now you can disconnect the tie rod. This manipulation involves simultaneously disconnecting the tip of the steering mechanism from the swing arm located on the shock-absorbing element.
3. To prevent a large error in the installation angles of both Lada Granta wheels, before dismantling it is necessary to mark the location of the upper bolt with a washer, with which the suspension element is attached to the steering axle with its bracket. An ordinary marker can be perfect for this. This simple action will allow you to easily get to the service center in order to subsequently correct the camber and toe. And while driving, the car will not so obviously try to move to the side.
4. Unscrew the bolts securing the strut and knuckle. First, we release the upper bolt paired with the eccentric washer, and then remove the lower fastener. Now the time has come to disconnect the strut from the trunnion. We proudly perform this action.
5. Let's go back under the hood. We find three points (nuts). This is the attachment point for the shock-absorbing element to the body spar cup. The nuts are unscrewed evenly (one at a time, but by a small amount). This will prevent the rack from skewing. We support the shock-absorbing element itself from the inside of the wheel arch so as not to cause it to fall. The entire event is implemented using the key at “13”.
6. Having achieved victory over the nuts, we solemnly remove the stand.
7. We use ties for spring elements. The process of clamping the coil with these devices is carried out until the moment when the spring is released from the thrust between the cups of the rack and the support.
8. After making sure that the spring is free, use a “22” key to unscrew the central nut of the rod.
9. Now let's start disassembling the rack. We dismantle the support with its bearing, remove the upper metal cup and the damping element. All that remains is the boot and the spring itself.
10. We inspect all parts for signs of wear or damage.

Grant front suspension

Tuning Granta Liftback photo

Installation of fog lights on Granta

Typical signs of faulty Lada Granta struts

• the car bounces slightly on uneven surfaces;
• difficulties in driving at medium and high speeds;
• vibrations, beating in the steering wheel when overcoming road obstacles;
• knocking, creaking in the front suspension area;
• decreased ground clearance, sagging springs, roll to one side;
• the piston is filled with oil;
• When you press the wing once, the car continues to swing for some time.

Subtleties when installing a suspension element

1. We begin to assemble the suspension element using the reverse dismantling process algorithm.
2. Before direct installation, we recommend checking the shock absorber. To do this, you need to press the rod all the way and observe its behavior. If the pressing force is high, and the rod subsequently slowly (without delay) returns to the extended position. This indicates the serviceability of the element.
3. A special mark, which the manufacturer kindly applied to the surface of the product, will help you install the front struts correctly. The direction of the mark should be oriented along the direction of the Lada Granta car.
4. Having reached the correct location of the marks, feel free to assemble the shock-absorbing unit, following the well-known sequence of actions.

Replacing Lada Granta struts with your own hands. Recommendations from professionals

The suspension of the Lada Granta is represented by a telescopic hydraulic shock absorber strut, a spring, a bump stop, a silent block (for the rear row), a support bearing, and a bowl.

Taking into account the quality of the road surface and the peculiarities of climatic temperatures, the service life of suspension elements of domestic transport hardly exceeds the mark of 65 - 75 thousand km. Rare cases within 100,000 km are rather an exception.

Summarize

Now you know which racks are best to install. Replacing the shock absorber strut, as well as disassembling it in order to change specific parts, did not turn out to be a complicated procedure. This work can be done by an ordinary Lada Granta owner who has the desire and the tools. Upon completion of the repair work, do not forget to check and adjust the alignment.

Before you begin actual assembly, make sure that all marks are completely aligned with each other. Also be sure to check the angles at which the front wheels of the Lada Grant are installed. If you are convinced of problems, perform a wheel alignment to ensure more reliable operation of the car.

Which manufacturer should you choose?

Many drivers wonder whether the brand of shock absorbers affects their quality. In this case, we must remember that even a part purchased from a reputable manufacturer is not fully functional. This is the specificity of shock absorbers. However, branded products usually have a longer service life and are equipped with technological solutions that improve driving comfort. The products of the following companies are highly recognized by customers:

1. Bilstein;
2. Delphi;
3. Kayaba;
4. Monroe;
5. Motocraft;
6. Sachs.

Helical adjustable suspension

A shock absorber in a car suspension is used as a damping element that reduces the amplitude of vibrations. There are many suspension options, and one of them is shown in the photo.

Each of the elements, spring and shock absorber, being components of the suspension, serve for specific purposes. But in some cases, they are structurally performed in the form of a single unit. This combination is known as a screw suspension, one of the variants of such a device is shown in the photo.

It has already been mentioned that this combination is called adjustable suspension. One of the options for its manufacture is to cut a thread directly on the shock absorber and attach support washers to it, between which the spring is located. This results in a new single rack that replaces the existing one.

Catalog articles for factory front/rear struts of Lada Granta

Standard dimensions of the front struts: rod diameter 220 mm, body diameter 520 mm, rod free play 1700 mm, height 3450 mm. Grant rear struts: rod diameter 125 mm, cylinder body 425 mm, weight 2.00 kg, oil volume 0.56 liters.

The specified shock absorber articles are intended for installation on Lada Granta of all modifications starting from 2011: 21906-40, 21911-40, 21917-42, 21917-41, 21901-41.

Note to the driver. For the Lada Granta Sport, other struts are available, with a shortened rod stroke. Gas is used instead of oil filler. Catalog number: A190291500440.

General information about the suspension

To better understand what a coilover is, you must first turn to the most common shock absorber. Its device is shown in the photo below.

Any shock absorber is a cylinder filled with liquid (usually oil) in which a piston moves. The principle of operation of the device is the flow of liquid from one volume to another when the piston moves in one direction or another under the influence of a changing load.

Types of coilovers

What does a coilover look like on a car?

Depending on the installation method, kits for complete and partial replacement of racks differ:

• Partial retrofit kits (essentially threaded housings) install onto existing racks. However, if it turns out that the strut is not designed to handle the stresses that come with a coilover, it may break.
• One-piece kits, ready for hanging . To install such coilovers, you need to remove the old struts from the car and put adjustable counterparts in their place. In this case, the rack is initially designed to be ready for different types of load, so the suspension is more reliable and durable.

There is also a division of coilovers into series in accordance with the conditions for which they are designed:

• Street . The suspension receives high rigidity, but sways less, dangles, and does not roll when cornering. The difference in the car’s behavior when turning, changing lanes and other maneuvers becomes especially noticeable with maximum adjustment - a noticeable sporty “character” arises.
• Track . Products in this series give the car stability on the road, making the suspension even more collected and rigid. Even at the softest settings, it responds well and handles consistently.

Depending on the adjustment capabilities, the following types are also distinguished:

1. Primitive shock absorbers with threaded support . These are the coilovers that are in greatest demand. From a technical point of view, they are not suitable for anything other than changing the lumen. The advantage is low cost. Disadvantage - they do not allow you to change the stiffness of the suspension.
2. Simple coilovers with a function for changing stiffness . They cost a little more than the first type, but can be installed on any car. The stroke of their rod directly depends on what clearance is set. Advantage - suitable for different cars. The downside is that it worsens handling.
3. Full-tap coilovers (or DGR) provide adjustment of ride height, suspension stiffness and spring preload. Manufacturers often equip such struts with support bearings for wheel alignment adjustment. The advantage is flexible adjustment of the suspension. The downside is that they are difficult to install and expensive.
4. Professional coilovers with high and low speed compression capabilities. They are practically not used by car enthusiasts due to the high cost and impracticality of installation.

How much do coilovers lower a car?

On average, using an adjustable suspension, you can achieve a lowering of 20-35 mm. Pretty good for urban tuning - you just need to tighten the lower stop and not cut the springs. If you go by ground clearance, the result is even more impressive - up to 20-30 mm from the road level. For comparison, with the same trimming, as a rule, it is possible to achieve a clearance of 30-50 mm.

How to choose struts for Lada Granta

Before selecting the necessary parts, you need to know the article numbers. You can find them out from the following table:

The main difference between gas-oil and oil struts on Grant:

• Oil shock absorbers are more rigid. Used when good controllability is required. Such struts reduce roll in corners and better keep the car on the road. Show excellent performance on smooth asphalt. Useless off-road.
• Gas-filled - suitable for comfortable driving on uneven surfaces. They absorb road irregularities perfectly, but deteriorate handling when driving at low speeds. They are not able to dampen serious rolls and sway.

Analogues of the front / rear pillars of the VAZ-2190. Price

*prices as of September 19, 2018.

Algorithm for self-replacement of rear struts of Lada Granta

A common reason for replacing a rear shock absorber is oil leakage from the cylinder, depressurization, loss of integrity, or seal defects. Less common spring sagging. Tools: open-end wrenches “17, 19”, a set of new struts, WD fluid – 40.

• We fix the front wheels with wheel chocks and engage first gear;
• We fold the back row of seats for ease of maintenance;
• We pry off the rubber plug of the rear glass and remove it;
• Unscrew the upper shock absorber fixing nut;
• Jack up the rear wheel and remove it;
• We hang the side of the car at such a height that the beam has free movement;
• Unscrew the lower fastening, remove the eye from the seat;
• Remove the shock absorber assembly;
• Using a crab puller, compress the spring and remove the boot.

Replacing the Lada Grant strut with a new one, assembling the parts in the reverse order. When moving the rod in the upper position, it will be difficult to get into the hole; an assistant may be needed.

Replacing support bearings without removing the strut

1. Jack up the car and remove the wheel;
2. Using a crab puller, compress the spring several turns;
3. In the engine compartment, unscrew the three nuts securing the support bowl to the glass;
4. Unscrew the steering tip and unscrew the nut;
5. Lower the shock absorber assembly down;
6. We remove the support bowl and replace the Granta strut bearing.

The repair is completed by reassembling in the reverse order.

Grant strut spacer. For what. What is the price

In order to increase the service life of the glasses in the engine compartment and to prevent an increase in the angle of inclination of the pillars, the structure is reinforced with a metal beam. The ends are attached to support bowls and connected to each other by a metal pipe. This is the simplest design. Modernized versions have a different layout. But this is not for everyone.

additional information

However, adjustable suspension has not only advantages, it also has disadvantages.

1. Coilovers require careful maintenance and monitoring. In most cases, there are no seals on the rods to prevent dust and dirt from entering the body. And this leads to rapid wear of the bushings, which will result in knocking and jamming of the rod.
2. Such a suspension must be adjusted for certain conditions, for example, driving on gravel or asphalt. If the coilovers are set to one surface, but you have to move differently, then this is fraught with shaking and the possibility of damage to the suspension. So, on asphalt it should work with short strokes, on gravel - with long strokes. If the suspension is not configured correctly, it will not follow the road profile, resulting in poor handling.
3. Significant shaking when driving does not indicate that the suspension is working, but that it does not correspond to the driving conditions.

Coilovers allow you to change the characteristics of the existing suspension on your car. However, it must be designed for specific driving conditions and may not work equally well on different surfaces. So the use of such elements in a car must be treated with caution and the consequences of their use must be fully understood. » alt=»»>

Overview of the main shock absorber manufacturers

By default, hydraulic ones from SAAZ (Skopovsky Automobile Plant) are installed from the factory. They are not particularly distinguished by their quality, but with moderate use they can last up to 60,000 km.

1. Kayaba : Japanese, characterized by high quality, reliability, and long service life. When purchasing, be careful, as some of the products are made in China.
2. ASOMI: domestic manufacturer for GAZ, VAZ, LADA models. One year warranty from the date of installation. Judge the quality for yourself.
3. SS (SS): also a domestic manufacturer of racks for VAZs. Quality guarantee for two years, according to the owners' reviews, they are not bad, a little harsh.

In general, all shock absorbers are divided into three categories:

The differences in the categories are insignificant and unnoticeable for the average driver. The kit comes with a warranty card and operating instructions.

What are coilovers

Coilover installation kit.

Coilovers are a traditional element of sports car suspension. The name of this part is formed by the English words coil and over, which literally means “spring around”.

A coilover is a shock absorber that allows you to adjust the spring stiffness and ground clearance of the car by compressing or decompressing it. Essentially, this is a rod-stand on which a spring is placed, moving relative to it.

On sports cars, helical suspension appeared due to the need to quickly change the stiffness and height of the suspension. The ability to quickly change these parameters and improve the car’s handling has become an integral feature of such a discipline as rallying, where before each start the technical team carries out almost jewelry calibration of the car.

In sports tuning, coilovers are installed on cars to adjust the clearance, stiffness and damping characteristics. The convenience is that to change the height of the suspension you do not need to disassemble it - the shock absorber struts are simply twisted a little, and you're done.